PERFORMANCE AND SOME PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS FOR OSIMI RAMS FED HELIA (JERUSALMA ARTICHOKE) DURING SUMMER UNDER ASSIUT CONDITIONS

The objectives of this study were 10 invesligale the effect of feeding helia trunk
or nodule to rams on some physiological and biological parameters during summer
season under Assiut conditions.
Thil1Y healthy Osirni male rams divided according 10 their Iive body weiqntinlo
3 equal groups: len animals each. They were fed ad libturn on helia trunk or helia
nodule or wheat straw in groups 1. 2 and 3. respectively. Animals in all groups fed on
600 gm concentrate feed mixture. The trial lasted for 5 months during summer
season.
The obtained results showed that group 2 achieved the highest value (p < O.Ol)
for body weight. daily feed intake and feed efficiency whereas, the control group have
the lowest value for the above parameters.
Group 2 scored the lowest value ( p < 0.01) for respiration rate and rectal and
skin temperature among other groups, whereas group 1 have a rnccerare values for
the above parameters among other groups. Also. group 2 achieved the highesl value
(p < O.O 1; for serum total protein .globulin. testosterone and thyroxin concentrations. It
could be concluded that group 2 which fed helia nodule is the best group tor general
health and immunity and can diminish the critical values of respiration rate and may
improve the heat toterance in sheep under Assiut summer.